Dispensing equipment for liquefied petroleum gas



July 14, 1936. R w TH 2,047,338

DISPENSING EQUIPMENT FOR LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS Filed Sept. 13, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. 1.

72 v If v INVENTOR. 38 Roswell N'T'humas ATTORN Ys.

July 14, 1936. R w THOMAS 2,047,338

DISPENSING EQUIPMENT FOR LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS Filed Sept. 13, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 2.

7a 1: 9a 54 5/ 79 /02 I, I if" 9 /a/ FIG. 3. 63' 7g 3 62 7 78 77 4 H Z9 6 X 80 m2 g AW iNVENTOR.

Rca swell W. Thnmas July 14, 1936. R, w THQMAS 2,047,338

DISPENSING EQUIPMENT FOR LIQUEFIEDPETROLEUM GAS Filed Sept. 15, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. 8.

FIG. 9. /06

INVENTOR.

Hus swell W. Thomas ATTORNEYS.

Patented July 14, 1936 PATENT OFFICE DISPENSING EQUIPMENT FOR LIQUEFIED PETROLEUMI GAS Rosswell W.' Thomas, Detroit, Mich, assignor to Phillips Petroleum Company, Bartlesville, kla., a corporation of Delaware Application September 13, 1934, Serial No. 143,916

11 Claims.

The present invention relates to dispensing equipment for liquefied petroleum gas of the character where the installation, say at a residence,

provides at least two chambers for supplies of liquefied gas from which vapors may be drawn and changedto a gaseous phase for use in gas consuming appliances, one supply being held in reserve until the active supply is depleted.

The principal object of the invention is to provide an automatic, quick, safe and positive change over'device for such equipment whereby a'substantially instantaneous change is made, cutting off communication between the gas consuming appliances and a chamber ior liquefied petroleum gas which was active but in which there remains no great amount of liquid or vapor, and to establish communication between the gas consuming appliances and another chamber, such as one containing a reserve supply of'liquefied' gas.

Liquefied petroleum gas, such as propane, is now sold extensively by weight, the customer purchasing the product in tanks or cylinders of a portable nature. Various equipment has been provided whereby the pressure of the vapors arising from such liquefied gas is reduced and changed to a gaseous phase so as to be suitable for use in gas consuming appliances, such as gas ranges, hot water heaters and other appliances. Some of these appliances have pilot lights so that it is desirable, if not essential, that an adequate supply of gas be available at all times. With the end in view that the customer will not run out of gas, the equipment usually includes two tanks, or a single tank having two chambers for separate supplies, one of which is active while the other is held in reserve. Many installations of equipment have-valves which require attention on the part of the customer to effect a changeover, from one supply to the other, when the other flame may become extinguished because of insuflicient gas pressure thus making necessary careful attention on the part of some one concerned with the equipment to see that jets are closed prior to the change-over to a new supply of gas, in order to avoid hazardous situations.

Recently there have been developed outfits equipped with automatic valves whereby upon the pressure in the service line leading to the gas consuming appliances becoming low, the vapor in the reserve chamber will be drawn upon to augment the diminishing supply, that is, both chambers are placed in communication with the gas consuming appliances. Such equipment has a number of disadvantages mainly among which may be mentioned the loss to the customer resulting from the entry of vapor under superior pressure from the reserve chamber to the chamber which was at one time active but which contained very little vapor, and that at a very low pressure, at the time the automatic device operated. This is a loss to the customer when the presumably empty tank is removed and replaced by a filled tank. Also certain precautions, such as the manual operation of a valve, must be taken when removing the presumably empty tank from operative relation to the outfit, otherwise a highlyinflammable and otherwise hazardous gas or vapor may escape because both chambers have, by the automatic device, been placed in communication with the gas consuming appliances.

The present invention aims to provide equipment which is simple in construction, elficient in operation, and economical and safe in that the change-over from the active to the reserve supply is positive, shutting ofi communication between the chamber which held the active supply and the chamber holding the reserve supply and at a time when there is very low pressure in the first mentioned chamber; permitting the safe disconnection of the inactive tank or cylinder; and, establishing communication between the chamber of the other tank or cylinder and the gas consuming appliances in a manner that even pilot lights will not be extinguished or the supply of gas to other burners interrupted.

Another object of the invention is to provide change-over devices which may be readily applied to co-act with parts of devices already on the market but intended to be manually operated, whereby the equipment may be rendered automatic in the change-over from one chamber or supply to another.-

Where, in the following specification, the terms active and inactive" are used, it will be understood that the former is intended to refer to a chamber or supply of liquefied gas being used or in readiness to supply the gas consuming appliances with gas upon opening of a valve or other device associated therewith so as to create a de-' mand for gas, and that the latter term refers to a chamber or supply of liquefied gas which is not being drawn upon and is held either in reserve or because the supply of liquefied gas is depleted.

A further object of the invention is to provide a change-over device which will be operated to effect a change-over from the active chamber to the inactive chamber as a result of low pressure in the active chamber instead of low pressure in the service line, thereby avoiding a change-over,

to the reserve chamber when there is an unusual demand for gas at the gas consuming appliances.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a change-over device which is not dependent upon a fixed position with respect to the horizon- .tal, but may be located in any position, depending in no way upon the force of gravity to actuate its parts.

A further object of the invention is to provide a change-over device which is simple in construction and easy to re-set so that this may be accomplished by persons not necessarily experienced in mechanics,-the housewife for instance.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which drawings:-

Figure 1 is a fragmentary view partly in elevation and partly in vertical section of equipment for dispensing liquefied petroleum gas, including one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a similar view on an enlarged scale of a portion of the equipment and showing the relative position of parts when a change-over has been effected.

Figure 3 is a detailed view in elevation of parts shown in Figure 2, some of which have been moved to re-set the change-over device.

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view on substantially the line 4-4 of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrow.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of parts of the change-over device shown in Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a view partly in vertical section and partly in elevation of a trigger device operable to effect a change-over.

Figure '7 is a similar view of a portion of the trigger device on an enlarged scale.

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure l but showing a modification of the present invention.

Figure 9 is an enlarged plan view of the changeover device shown in Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a view partly in horizontal section and partly in plan of a control means associated with the change-over device.

Referring first to the form of invention shown in Figures 1-'l, A designates means providing chambers B and C for separate supplies of liquefied petroleum gas D and E F a service pipe line which may lead to any suitable gas consuming appliances, not shown in the drawings, such as a cook stove, hot water heater, lighting fixtures, etc.; G control means for establishing communication between either chamber B or C and the the service line F so that it-is active for supplying gas to the service line F when there is a demand for gas, and shutting off communication between the other of said chambers B or C so that it is inactive for supplying gas to the service line F, the means G operating alternately or interchangeably so that one or the other of said chambers is always active and one or'the, other inactive or in reserve; and, H means operable upon low pressure in the active chamber for eifectuating an alternation of the control means G so as to bring into use the reserve supply.

Where, in the following specification, the terms high pressure" and low pressure" are used, the former may be, by way of example, ten pounds per square inch upwardly, and the latter a pressure below ten pounds per square inch, altho this range is not to be taken as a limitation since obviously the equipment may be adjusted to operate on any practical pressures, much depending on the characteristics of the liquefied petroleum gas being dispensed.

In Figures 1 to 7 inclusive, the invention is shown applied to a combination manifold control and fluid regulator of the character disclosed in the patent, Wolfe, 1,844,814, dated February 9, 1932, and will now be described.

A regulator housing H is provided with a cover l2, there being a diaphragm I3 of any suitable type interposed between said housing and cover, forming two compartments i5 and I6 completely sealed against one another. The housing II is provided with two oppositely disposed high 2 pressure inlet bosses i1 and I8 which are internally threaded to accorrmiodate threaded inlet plugs I9 and 20, provided with reduced inlet ports 2| and 22, respectively, these ports being open to the compartment l5 and the inner extremities 2 of the ports terminating in raised valve seats 23 and 24, respectively. Valve heads 25 and 26 cooperate with the seats 23 and 24, respectively, and each valve head terminates in an elongated reduced stem 21 guided in post 28. The inner 3 extremities of stems 21 are interconnected by a single strip 29 of flexible or spring material, preferably formed with its ends bifurcated to receive the ends of stems 21 where they are pivotally connected by transverse pins 30. A diaphragm stud 3| is secured to the diaphragm I3 and projects from its face into compartment 15. This stud is bifurcated to provide arms 32, which embrace the intermediate portion of strip 29 and the arms carry transverse pins or rollers 33 which either slidably or rotatably engage the opposite surfaces of spring strip 29, whereby movementof the diaphragm I3 is transmitted to the spring strip and in turn to the valve 25 or 2G,--whichever one is free to move as hereinafter more fully set forth. The housing I l is tapped as at 24 to provide an outlet port in communication with the service line F.

The cover i2 is provided with an internally threaded neck 35 which encloses a coil spring 36 or the like, one end of which engages a seat 37 secured to theface of the diaphragm opposite stud 3| and its other end is adjustably retained in the neck by a threaded plug 38 adapted to be screwed into the neck as clearly shown in Fig- 1 ure 4. Thus the pressure in chamber It may be opposed by any desired force in chamber it by regulating plug 38 to compress or expand the spring 36. A suitable cap 39 is preferably provided on the end of neck 35 as a closure and protecting means for the adjusting plug 38.

So far the construction and operation of parts is substantially the same as in the aforesaid Wolfe patent and it is to be understood that this is merely by way of example since there are other modified forms of the Wolfe invention shown in the aforesaid patent to which the present invention is applicable, and as will be hereinafter described more in detail, the present invention is not limited to use with a combination manifold control and fiuid pressure regulator since control of the active and inactive chambers may take place before or after the pressure of the vapor has reduced or the vapor changed to a gaseous phase for use in the service line.

shift and lock the valves, (similar to valves and 26 in the present case) by a manual control lever movable thru an arc of 180 and suitable -motion transmitting means between the lever and valves, including a thin strip of metal or yoke.

This yoke I may use and show at 44. It extends straight across the chamber l5 for the greater portion of its length with its ends bent transversely at substantially right angles to form arms 4i and 42, said arms being apertured to receive and slidably engage thestems of the valve heads 25 and 2.5. The straight portion of the yoke 40 is slidably supported in suitable brackets or guides 43 which are secured to the wall of housing l l in any suitable manner. In the present case I have shown a power operated lever 44 movable thru an arc of 90, and motion transmitting means 45 between the lever 44 and the valves 25 and 25, to shift and lock the latter. Motion transmitting means 45 may include a bell crank lever 46 pivotally carried as at ,41 on the wall of housing ll, one arm 48 of the lever 46 having a reduced portion 49 extending thru an aperture 50 in yoke 40, and the other arm 5i having a disclike head 52 received in a cross slot 53 of a stem 54, slidable in a sleeve 55 formed as a part of housing II. This stem 54 engages one face of a low pressure packing diaphragm 56 movable in a chamber 51 formed partly in the housing It and partly in a journal cap 58 secured to the housing in any suitable manner with the diaphragm clamped in place. At the other face of diaphragm 56 is a head piece 59 secured to the stem 54 by a screw 60 which also serves to clamp the central portion of the diaphragm 56 between the stem 54 and head piece 59. The head piece may be polygonal in cross section and slidable in a cavity 6 I of similar cross section to keep it from rotating. Lever 44 is secured to a shaft 52 journaled in cap 58 as by set screws 62' and is spaced from the cap 58 a suitable distance to accommodate an arm 53 which is supported by but loose on shaft 52. At the end of shaft 62 opposite lever 44 and in cavity (ii is a crank pin 64 which extends into a transverse groove 55 in the head piece 59.

These parts, with the exception of arm 63 may be considered, in connection with suitable conduits 65 and 61, affording communication between the chambers B and C and the high pressure inlet bosses I1 and ill as control means for establishing communication between either chamber B or C and the service line F. With the parts in the position shown in Figure 1, where the lever 44 points toward chamber 3 such is the active chamber, and chamber C is cut ofi from communication with the service line F. However, in Figuresz and 3 lever 44 has moved to an arc of substantially 90 and thru motion transmitting means 45 has shifted the yoke 40, so as to press valve head 25 service line F if there is a demand for gas at the gas consuming appliances. The diaphragm It acts as a regulator in the manner set forth in the aforesaid Wolfe patent, that is, will close oil communication with any source of liquefied petroleum 7 gas supply if there is no demand for gas and sumcient pressure has been built up in chamber l5 to operate diaphragm l3 in a manner to seat both In order to render the lever. power operated, arm 63 has associated therewith, by way ofjexample, a contraction coil spring Ill having its one end portion secured, as at H to lever 44 remote from shaft 62, and its other end portion secured as at 12, to arm 63 remote from shaft 52. In the example shown, the arm: 63 is limited to movement thru an arc of substantially180", by stops J5 and 14, carried by a stop plate 15, secured as by screws 15 to the cover It. The stop plate 15 also carries stop pins I1 and 18 to limit the amplitude of movement of lever 44 to substantially 90. With the arm 53 and the lever 44 in the positions shown in Figure 1, the contraction spring 10 is stretched, since the arm 53 rests upon stop 13 and lever 44 points toward chamber B. If lever 44 is released to swing responsive to spring it, the arm and lever will take the positions shown in Figure 2, effecting a change-over. In Figure 3-the relative position of the lever 44 and arm 63 one with respect to the other is shown after the arm 53 has been manually thrown over to engage stop 14,- -the position of these parts when chamber C is active, and chamber B is inactive altho containing a supply D of liquefied petroleum gas either as a result of filling the chamber or substituting a filled tank for that which became empty thru use.

Means H in addition to including ,the arm 53, spring 10 and associated parts, previously described, includes trigger devices 19 and for chambers 13 and C, respectively. In the example shown, each trigger device comprises a motor 5i and a dog 82 operated thereby. A typical example of a motor for this purpose is shown more particularly in Figure 6 and comprises casing 83 including parts 84 and 85 with a diaphragm 46 between same dividing the easing into a compartment 81 for fluid under superatmospheric pressure, and a compartment 89 for an expansion spring 89 or the equivalent, which may be open to the atmosphere. Casing part 84 has a stop lug 99 in compartment Bl! to limit the amplitude of movement of the diaphragm toward the casing part 54 responsive to expansion of spring 89 and also has a port 5! which permits fluid under superatmospheric pressure from its respective chamber to act upon the diaphragm. Spring 89 at one end bears against casing part 85 and at its other end bears upon a cup-shaped head 92 of a dog stem 93 slidable in a sleeve 94 of easing part 85. The dog 82 is pivoted between arms 95 of stem 93 as at 95 and hasan abutment shoulder 91 for engagement with an abutment face 98 of stem 93 to limit swinging movement of the dog in one direction responsive to spring 99 yet permitting it to swing in the opposite direction as indicated by arrow in Figure 7 when impinged upon by lever '44 at the curved face Hill of the dog.

The trigger devices l9 and 89 are associated with their respective chambers B and C by conduits 'IM and I02 respectively. These may extend from the ports 96 of the motors, to the high pressure inlet bosses I! and IE, or anywhere so 'long as the pressure of the fluid in the chambers may be impressed upon the diaphragm of their respective motors to counteract the springs 84 of the motors. In this form of the invention, the trigger devices 19 and 80 are mounted as by uprights I03 to the cover I2 in such position that when there is high pressure in the compartments, 81 of both motors, the compartments 8! are enlarged, the spring 89 compressed, and the dogs 82 are in the path of movement of lever 44 so as to normally restrain movement of the lever responsive to spring I0. However, as the supply of liquefied petroleum gas in the active chamber, such as chamber B in Figure 1 becomes depleted, the pressure becomes low and the dog 32 will be retracted permitting lever 44 to swing to the position shown in Figure 2 thus effecting the change-over substantially instantaneously. Lever 44 is limited in its swinging movement by the stop pins I1 and I8. As lever 44' swings from the position shown in Figure l to the position in Figure 2 it impinges the dog 82 of trigger device 30, tripping it sufllciently to get to stop I3. Lever 44 then points toward the active chamher and the customer may then arrange for a new reserve supply. As soon as it is at hand and connected to the equipment, arm 63 is swung to the position shown in Figure 3, stretching spring 10 and placing the apparatus in condition for another automatic change-over, as is obvious from an inspection of the drawings.

Referring now to the modification of the invention disclosed in Figures 8-10, A, like in Fig-' ure 1, designates means-providing chambers B and C for separate supplies of liquefleld petroleum gas D and E; and, F the service pipe line. However, means H is here shown applied to a manifold or three-way control valve I04 comprising a housing I05 cast with two oppositely disposed internally threaded high pressure inlet bosses I06 and I! and an internally threaded depending outlet boss I08. The boss I08 has a port I03 which communicates with a central passageway H0 in a partition III which separates valve compartments H2 and H3. Bosses I06 and I 01 are provided with ports H4 and H which communicate with the compartments I I2 and I I3, respectively. Reciprocable in compartments H2 and H3 and the passageway H0 is a double valve assembly H6 comprising valves Ill and H8, held in spaced relation by a connecting rod II9. This double valve assembly IIG may be operated to seat either valve I I! or II8, by motion transmitting means I which in the example shown comprises, lever 44 movable in an arc of substantially 90; a valve stem I2I carried by a bonnet I22 which secures to the housing I05, a diaphragm I23; a diaphragm stem I24 secured to valve Ill and swiveled to stem I2I; and, a diaphragm stop I 25, in the nature of a nut on diaphragm stem I24. This assembly is very much like that disclosed in the patent to Bastian, #1,662,219, dated March 13, 1928, the diaphragm I23 being preferably of nickel silver and closes compartment .2 while compartment H3 is closed by a back cap I26. The valve stem I2I has screw threaded engagement with the internally screw threaded bonnet I22 and in the example shown double screw threads I21 are used so as to impart the necessary linear movement to the valve assembly H6 to unseat one valve and seat the other valve, upon a quarter turn of lever 44.

The arm 63 of means H is pivoted on stem I2I and a stop plate I28 is provided, differing mainly from stop plate I5 only in that it is larger since a pressure regulator I29 forms a unit separate from valve I04 and is interposed between the service line F and outlet boss I08 of valve I04.

The operation of the form shown in Figures 8-10 is substantially the same as that of the form previously described. In Figure 8 lever 44 points toward chamber B, which is the active chamber and means H is in readiness to effect a change-over when the pressure in chamber B is sumciently low to permit the spring 38 of the trigger device 19 to retract dog 82 from the path of movement of lever 44. Movement of this lever, responsive to contraction spring I0 will move valve assembly H6, so as to seat valve Ill and unseat valve H8, whereupon chamber 0 becomes active.

The means A may be separate cylinders I30 and I3I, providing the chambers B and C, respectively. These cylinders are shown with control valves I32 and I33 at their heads for detachable connection with the conduits 66 and 81, respectively. When the supply of liquefied petroleum gas in a cylinder becomes depleted and the change-over device operates to shut ofl communication between such cylinder and the then active cylinder, the former may be removed without danger of any appreciable amount of vapor or gas escaping to the atmosphere. This shutting oil of inter-communication between the two cylinders also prevents any high pressure vapor from the active chamber entering the inactive chamber.

Where, in the foregoing specification, in connection with the combined manifold control and fluid regulator shown in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, and the manifold valve I04 shown in Figures 8, 9 and 10, and in the following claims, the terms port" and way are used, it will be understood that they are synonymous and refer to a passageway or channel for a liquid, gas or fluid.

While I have herein described and illustrated the invention as applied to two types of control devices, this is merely by way of example, and changes in details and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the spirit of the'invention as set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

i. In dispensing equipment, the combination with means providing chambers for separate supplies of liquefied petroleum gas under high pressure and a service line for conducting gas to gas consuming appliances, of control means for interchangeably establishing communication between one of said chambers and the service line so that said chamber is active and shutting of! communication between the other of said chambers and the service line, so that said last mentioned chamber is inactive or in reserve, said control means including a lever movable in difl'erent directions thru a predetermined arc to eifect a change-over; a spring movable in one position to urge said lever to ,move in one direction and said spring movable to a different position to urge said lever in the opposite direction; and, a fluid pressure operated trigger device for each of said chambers operable to restrain movement of said lever against action of said spring while the responsive chamber is active and operable upon the fluid in its responsive chamber reaching a predetermined low pressure'to release the lever so that it may move respective to the spring.

2. In dispensing; equipment, the combination with means providing chambers for separate supplies of liquefied petroleum gas under high pressure and a service line for conducting gas to gas consuming appliances, of control means for interchangeably establishing communication between one of said chambers and the service line so that said chamber is active, and shutting 01! communication between the other of said chambers and the service line sothat said last menmospheric pressure and a compartment open to the atmosphere, a conduit in communication with said first mentionedcompartment and the active chamber so that high pressure fluid in the chamber acts upon the diaphragm and enlarges the size of said first mentioned compartment, means normally urging said diaphragmto move in a direction to reduce the size of said first mentioned compartment when the diaphragm is subjected to a predetermined low pressure, and a dog operatively connected with said diaphragm and disposed in the path of movement of said power operated reciprocable member when the diaphragm is subjected to high pressure and to move out of the path of movement of said power operated reciprocable member when the diaphragm is subjected to said predetermined low pressure.

3. In dispensing equipment, the combination with means providing chambers for separate supplies of liquefied petroleum gas under high pressure and a service line for conducting gas to gas consuming appliances, of control means for interchangeably establishing communication between one of said chambers and the service line so that said chamber is active and shutting off communication between the other of said chambers and the service line, so that said last mentioned chamber is inactive or in reserve, saidcontrol means including a lever movable in difierent directions thru a predetermined arc to effect a change-over; a spring movable in one position to urge said lever to move in one direction and said spring movable to a different position to urge said lever in the opposite direction; and, a fluid pressure operated trigger device for each of said chambers operable to restrain movement of said lever against action of said spring while the respective chamber is active and operable upon the fluid in its respective chamber reaching a predetermined low pressure to release the lever so that it may move respective to thespring, said' trigger devices each comprising means providing a compartment for atmospheric pressure and a compartment for superatmospheric pressure divided by a diaphragm, a conduit in communication with the second mentioned compartment and the chamber with-which the trigger device is associated, means normally flexing said diaphragm in a direction to counteract pressure in said second mentioned compartment, and a dog operatively connected with said diaphragm and disposed in the path of movement of said lever when the diaphragm is subjected to high pressure fluid in said second mentioned compartment. and to move out of the path of movement of said lever responsive to action of said last mentioned means when the said compartment contains a predetermined low pressure fluid.

4. In dispensing equipment, the combination with means providing chambers for separate supplies oi liquefied petroleum gas under superatmospheric pressure, and a service line for conducting gas to gas consuming appliances, of a valve device including a housing providing a manifold compartment, two inlet ports in sepcompartment, valve members in said manifold compartment, a lever, and means operatively connecting said lever and valve members to alternately shut oil said inlet ports to the manifold compartment by movement of the lever, means for operating said lever from one position to another, and fluid pressure operable devices associated one with each of said chambers normally restraining movement of said lever and operable upon a predetermined low pressure to release the lever. I I

5. In dispensing equipment, the combination with means providing chambers for separate supplies of liquefied petroleum gas under superatmospheric pressure, and a service line for conducting gas to gas consuming appliances, of a valve device including a housing providing a manifold compartment, two inlet ports in separate communication with said chambers and said manifold compartment, an outlet port in communication with said service line and manifold.

compartment, valve members in said manifold compartment, a lever, and means operatively connecting said lever and valve members to alternately shut off said inlet ports to the manifold compartment, by movement of the lever, an arm adjacent to, pivoted to swing concentric with and, movable independently of said lever, acontraction spring connecting said lever and arm at points remote from their centers, and fluid pressure operable devices associated one with each of said chambers normally restraining movement of said lever and operable upon a predetermined low pressure to release the lever.

6. In combination with a three-way valve including a reciprocable member operatively connected to the valve proper to place either of two of the valve ways in communication with the third valve way, a contraction spring, a second reciprocable member, means connecting-one end of the spring to the first mentioned reciprocable member and the other end of the spring to said second mentioned reciprocable member so that manual movement of the second mentioned reciprocable member to one position will stretch the spring to urge the first mentioned reciprocable member in one direction, and said second mentioned reciprocable member movable to a different position to stretch the spring to urge said' first mentioned reciprocable member in an opposite direction, and fluid pressure operated trigger devices cooperating one to restrain movement of said first mentioned reciprocable member, in one direction, and the other in an opposite direction.

'7. In combination with a three-way valve in-. cluding a reciprocable member operatively connected to the valve proper to place either of two of the valve ways in communication with the third valve way, a contraction spring, a second reciprocable member and means connecting one end of the spring to the first mentioned reciprocable member and the other end of the spring to said second mentioned reciprocable member so that manual movement of the second mentioned reciprocable member to one position will stretch the spring to urge the first mentioned second mentioned reciprocable member movable to a difierent position to stretch the spring to urge' said first mentioned reciprocable member in an opposite direction.

8. In combination with a three-way valve including a housing having an outlet and two inlet Ways, and a lever operatively connected to the valve proper to place either one or the other of the inlet ways in communication with said outlet way at a time, by movement; of the lever; of stop means to limit the amplitude of oscillation of said lever to a predetermined arc and operable to arrest movement of the lever when either one or the other of said inlet ways is in communication with said outlet way, a second lever, second stop means to limit the amplitude of oscillation of said second lever, and means including a spring operatively connected to said levers so that movement of the second lever in one direction will, thru said spring, quickly move the first lever to one of its arrested positions, and movement of the second lever in an opposite direction will, thru said spring, quickly move the lever to the other of its arrested positions.

9. In combination with a three-way valve including a housing having an outlet and two inlet ways, and a lever operatively connected to the valve proper to place either one or the other of the inlet ways in communication with said outlet way at a time, bymovement of the lever; of stop means to limit the amplitude of oscillation of said lever to a predetermined arc and operable to arrest movement of the lever when either one or the other of saidinlet ways is in'communication with said outlet way and so that the lever points in the same general direction that the particular inlet way, in communication with said .outlet way, is located in the housing, a second lever, stop means to limit the oscillation of said second lever, and means including a spring operatively establishing communication between one of said the inlet ways in communication with said outlet way at a time, by movement of the lever; of stop means to limit the amplitude of oscillation of said lever to a predetermined arc and operable to arrest movement of the lever when either one or the other of said inlet ways is in communication with said outlet way, a second lever, means including a spring operatively connecting said levers so that movement of the second lever in one direction will, thru said spring, quickly move the first lever to one of its arrested positions and movement of the second lever in an opposite direction will, thru said spring, quickly move the lever to the other of its arrested positions, and second stop means to limit the amplitude of oscillation of said second lever, operable to arrest movement of the second lever when it points in the same general direction that the. particular inlet way, in communication with said outlet way, is located in the housing.

11., In dispensing equipment, the combination with means providing chambers for separate supplies of liquefied petroleum gas normally under relatively high pressure, a service line for conducting relatively low pressure gas to gas consuming appliances, and a pressure reducer and regulator between said chambers and service line for maintaining a substantially uniform low gas pressure in said service line, of control means for chambers and shutting off communication between the other of said chambers and said service line, and operable alternately, so that one or the other of said chambers is always active and one or the other inactive for supplying gas to the service line, and means including a pressure operated device for each of said chambers, each in direct communication with its respective chamber, and operable responsive to a pressure between the normal pressure in ,the chamber and 4 the desired pressure in the service line, for effectuating an alternation of said control means before the pressure in the service line drops.

" ROSSWELL W. THOMAS. 

